Snow day, really?

Yes, folks we are having a snow day today.  There must be some very treacherous roads somewhere, but not at my house.  This is not a complaint, by the way.

Last week, sports fans, the score was kids 4, schoolmarm 1.  That's right.  It was a week out of hell.  Kids were awful!!!  I don't know why.  That is the crux of the matter.  I don't know why their behavior is so unpredictable.  My teaching partner says it is the nature of the type of child we have this year.  Perhaps so.  I was ready to walk out by Wed.  Fortunately, another teacher friend said that last week was bad at her school, too.  Misery does love company!!!

The following has been sticking in my craw since before Thanksgiving so I better let it go now.  This has to do with the immigration service.  The Friday before Thanksgiving, INS made a sweep of one of our Hispanic neighborhoods.  They took about 28 people, mostly men.  Since this random act of horribleness occurred early in the morning, our Hispanic kids came to school with the fear of not finding one or both of their parents at home by the end of the day.  There were tears, stomachaches etc.  I, personally,  was furious.  I know we cannot take in everyone who wants to come to the U.S., but surely there can be a distinction between honest hardworking people and lazy, lawbreakers.  These people have families.  They have jobs.  Jobs that "good Americans" won't do.  I get far more support from our Hispanic families than I do from most white families.  I have never been cussed or threatened by a Hispanic parent.  The students are usually among the hardest working I have.  After all, what would any of us do if we were moved to another country without knowing the language or customs.  Compare these students whose parents have lots of money, who are addicted to prescription drugs or alcohol.  They wouldn't bat a eye while telling me that I pick on their child by making him/her behave or expecting homework to be completed.  My students have returned, but some are not the same.  They don't talk about what is going on in their community, but I know it is affecting them.  What do you say to a 12 year old when his/her dad has been deported?  Most of these folks are just barely making ends meet and now the breadwinner is gone.  I don't have an answer and really wish I did.

On a brighter note, there are changes afoot for my grade level that will relieve overcrowding.  I will keep you posted.